Our Third Born

Yesterday we had our first 4D ultrasound. It was increadible to see the facial features of our little third born. He wasn't very cooperative, so the picture is a little obscure, but you can still see his little face. The more we tried to persist to see him, the more he moved his arms, feet, and of course the umbilical cord right into the line of fire. At one point we could see all 10 toes right in front of face...stinker. Must get that from the Cassidy side.

Loving on Baby Giorgie

Our FOCUS teammates, Beth and Josh Santo, had their first child on October 1st. John Giorgio (Giorgio is after Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassatti, the patron of youth) has been a blessing to their family, but also to ours. Every time that we get together with our team, we annouce that Giorgie is coming over as well, and you see the boys faces light up. Simeon is especially sweet with him. He is very eager to help change diapers, play with him, show him baby toys (and his own of course), and mostly he wants to be able to hold him.

Since Beth has had Giorgie, Joseph I think is coming to understand what is growing in my own tummy. He very sweetly comes up to me and pats my tummy and says "hi baby." Usually it is followed with kissing my belly (although most of the time in lands on my breast. ) :)

Hopefully once Baby Cassidy makes his appearence (yes I still think it's a he), their sweet little demeanors will remain. One could hope....

Our very own Thanksgiving Parade

This year the Macy's day parade came to our back door. Each year, they test the big balloon blow-ups you see on TV, all across the country in indoor arenas. It just so happens that Vermillion is home to the Dakota Dome, a smaller enclosed arena that houses many of the colleges' and states' big events.

If you don't know they are coming, you will miss it because it's not advertised. However, Jeremy happened to be at breakfast with one of his student mentors, when about 40 New Yorkers swarmed the little breakfast cafe. Jeremy with confusion asked John what was going on, and John let him know they were here to test the Macy's Parade balloons.

So out we set for a little intown field trip to the dome for our very own personal parade. We got to see the Sock Monkey, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The kids were totally intersted for about 10 minutes until it became a game of who could get onto the football field first. Either way it was a good time, and something out of the ordinary.

Eatting all of my kids trick-or-treat candy

I might be a little late on the game, but I just saw this video last night, and since I haven't posted anything since Halloween, I thought I would stick with the theme. You must to watch the entire video, becuase the ending is the best. It's absoutely hilarious.

I Told my Kids I Ate All of their Halloween Candy

P.S. And even though I am pregnant, I haven't eatten all of my kids candy from Halloween. :)

Our First Trick or Treating Experience

It was an exciting day of preperation for the little basket of goodies. We practiced playing "Trick or Treat" all day on account that it was so fun. Simeon and Joe would get there little baskets, and run to the end of the sidewalk. Then I would wave them in, and up they would run or ring the door bell (usually several times) for me to open the door. Simeon would explain "Trick or Treat" really well, while Joe managed "Treat" or just a nice "please?" They would do this about 3-4 times, and then they would take a seat on the sidewalk, and attempt to break into the candy that had been given to them for the trial runs. It was hilarous watching them run back and forth, racing to see who could get to the door first to either knock on the door, or ring the door bell.

Simeon got dressed first. We had several fights over his fireman of hat of who was going to get to wear it. I think at one point, Joe thought he wasn't going to get to wear a costume. Then I pulled out Simeon's Shrek costume from the year before, and man was he elated! "Shrek?" as if saying for me Mom? I was nervous I was going to have to fight him to get it on. Let's just say, I couldn't snap the snaps quick enough.

So off set "Joey Shrek" as Simeon called him, and Fireman Shrek. We visited about 6 housed of people that we knew, and had a great time, knocking on doors, and collection our delisious treats. After each house, Joseph was ready to stop and take a candy break. :) By the end of the night, and Joseph was pooped. But Simeon would have gone all night long....

Visit from Grandma Normie, and the Omaha Zoo

Recently we got to spend two weeks with family. First we hosted the Cassidys, and then we got to follow it with a visit from Grandma Normie. By the end of that visit, Simeon looked at me and was wondering when the next visit from his grandparents was going to be. Of course they love the the extra attention and time with their family members. Simeon especially took great joy in waking up Grandma Normie in the morning. It's like he knew it was his job.

We had lots of fun with Grandma. We got to take a trip to the newly remodeled cathedral in Sioux Falls which is absoutely stunning. I would say it's more majestic than the catehdral in Helena, which is one of my favorites. Simeon exclaimed, "Mom, I like this big church; it's pretty." We went to the library, the park, the ice cream shop, walked around campus, and concluded her trip with a trip to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. The orangtans, gorrillas, and birds were the kids' favorites.

Notice the Catholic medal around his neck...probably evangelized by the Jesuits.

Mischief Makers

Simeon is almost 3 1/2.
Joe will be 2 in two weeks.
Two boys.
Two very onery boys.

(sigh)....Two mischief makers.

You don't have to be in our house long to witness some kind of mischief. Joseph is the lead mischief maker, and Simeon is easily influnced, and thus the follower mischief maker. Don't believe me? Well...let me give you some concrete examples of what mischief looks like in the Cassidy household.

What can we scheme next brother? Soaking our new clothes hasn't filled the fun for the day.
The naked moneky hang.
What's wrong with swinging over the top bunk to wake up my brother at night?
Will you stop touching me!
What Mom. I swear I didn't do it. (Anyone know how to toddler proof a lazy susan, so I don't have to puppy dog protect my kitchen?)

Even though when their play together much of the time leads them to mischief, it's fun to see them be buddies.

Just doing laps around the house.
I told you I was tougher.
The challenge.
The warning.
The chase.

Boys and Big Toys

Growing up with sisters, I never really realized the fasicniation of little boys and big toys. But we definately got a taste of it when Grandpa and Grandma Cassidy came. We were at the park, which is two blocks from our house, and were waiting for the Cassidy's to pull with their bus. The Lions Park has about five camping spots, a nice little play area, and a place to dump waste. So it was a perfect for our out of town guests.

Then it happened. They pulled in, and Simeon was in the middle of the parkway. He turned and looked at me with pure excitement and joy and just exclaimed, "Wooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" He knew his grandparents were coming, becuase he had been reminding me about it day and night for the past three days. Then he peceeded to run towards the bus exclaiming, "That's my Papa! And that's MY bus."

We didn't hear an end to it for the entirety of their trip.
"Mom I need to go ride in my bus."
"I need to help Papa with my bus."
"This is the boys bus Mom."

A quick taste of some of our fun moments in SD since our move...

Here are some pictures in no specific order...


Swinging like a "big boy" at Prentis Park

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee," Joe explaims.

I've got to dig mom...
Ain't no height that scares me

Another "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee," all the way down the driveway

Climbing on the blow-up toys at rib-fest, the kick off to USD football

Joe cheering on Simeon

Dancing as the band warms up

Father Scott's tractor that Simeon has claimed as his own

"Why go all the way around, when you can just climb back up again?"

This is a really good chip

Sweet, but not so innocent

I've got the chuckles

So this is what a water enema feels like

Quality control

Making mischief as we tried to hang our pictures around the house

Lewis and Clarke Lake

I won't get out. It doesn't matter how cold it is...

Aren't I a charmer

Backyard fun